The Environment Agency has concluded its investigation into Severn Trent Water following a significant sewage discharge incident near Gloucester in August 2021. As a result, the water company has agreed to pay £327,500 to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust through an Enforcement Undertaking (EU) as compensation for environmental damage.
The incident was initially reported on August 19, 2021, when Environment Agency officers responded to reports of dead fish in School Lane, Quedgeley. Their investigation uncovered large quantities of dead sticklebacks, thousands of dead invertebrates, and several dead eels and bullhead fish. The contamination extended across approximately 1.7 kilometers along Dimore Brook, with sewage fungus observed covering the width of the watercourse for about 1 kilometre.
Further investigations revealed that raw sewage from a blocked sewer had discharged into the brook near the A38 at Meerbrook Way. An ecological assessment determined that most aquatic life in the area had perished due to sewage pollution.
Ian Skuse, the Environment Agency’s investigating officer, emphasized the importance of protecting the environment. He stated that Enforcement Undertakings are an effective tool for companies to resolve such environmental harm while also working to prevent future incidents.
The £327,500 will be used by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust over three years for environmental improvement projects near the affected area. Sophie Wootton-Lee, head of external affairs at the Trust, explained that the funds will go towards habitat restoration and enhancing the local wildlife, including a focus on creating habitats for the European eel.
Emma Hardy, the Minister for Water and Flooding, condemned the incident, noting that pollution events like this are unacceptable and cause significant harm to both the environment and local communities. She further emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing stricter regulations on water companies and ensuring corporate accountability.
The Environment Agency acknowledged Severn Trent Water’s prompt response to the incident and reiterated that using an Enforcement Undertaking was a more appropriate method for addressing the issue while ensuring environmental restoration and improved compliance in the future.
